Palm Paradise Cabanas & Villas Beach Resort Tangalle

Palm Paradise Cabanas is set in lush tropical grounds with coconut trees, shrubs, and flowers. It's a quiet place, where you can hear little else other than waves and wildlife. Guests spend much of their time out on the beach catching the sunsets, taking in sun, and body surfing or swimming in the ocean. The property's interiors are almost entirely of made wood, and the property has a mellow vibe that's in tune with the relaxed surroundings. The Palm Paradise draws couples to its serene and romantic setting. 

Palm Paradise Cabanas is on Goyambokka Beach off Tangalle Road. The beach has several cafes in huts, and Tangalle town, where there are restaurants, cafes, shops, a supermarket, and surfing school is a five-minute drive from the resort. Parewella Natural Swimming Area is a little less than a 10-minute drive away.

Hummanaya Blowhole, the only one of its kind in Sri Lanka, and considered the second largest in the world, is a 20-minute drive from the resort. The Mulkirigala Rock Temple complex dates back 2,000 years -- it's a 30-minute drive. The capital city of Colombo is a little more than three hours by car, and driving to Bandaranaike International Airport takes three hours and 20 minutes. 

Palm Paradise Cabanas offers spacious wooden cabanas and villas set on stilts. The cabanas are located closer to the beach, while the villas are closer to the pool. Cabanas have a more rustic feel, with less natural light and darker wood furniture and trim. The villas have a more upscale and contemporary aesthetic, with modern art and elements like glass desks and metal lamps. 

All cabanas and villas have ceiling fans, furnished terraces overlooking the grounds, and seating areas. Beds have mosquito nets around them, but mosquitoes are generally not an issue in the rooms. Villas have air-conditioning, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi, and some boast attics and/or mini-fridges -- all of which cabanas lack. 

A stay at the Palm Paradise is about "unplugging," and there are no TVs. Bathrooms are clean and spacious, but some have limited space around the sink. Villa bathrooms are more stylish, with square wash basins, and stainless steel fixtures. Cabanas have open showers (read: no doors or privacy curtains) with rainfall showerheads.

The hotel's main attraction is Goyambokka Beach, which feels private, as there are few other resorts in the immediate area. Although the surf can be rough at times, it's swimmable and good for snorkeling, and there are shallow sections suitable for small children. The resort provides mats but not sun loungers, although cafes on the beach rent them along with umbrellas (free if you buy a meal). The Palm Paradise's triangular outdoor pool is another highlight, with poolside drink service and a shaded deck. 

The hotel serves a simple a la carte breakfast (for a fee) of eggs, toast, fruit, and coffee. The covered, open-air poolside restaurant offers Sri Lankan and Asian cuisine, and specializes in fresh local seafood and fruit juices. Guests can book breakfast-only or breakfast/dinner plans. There's also a bar that looks out to the ocean. 

Other amenities include rooms service, a game room with a TV, guest laundry, a gift shop/grocery, bike rental (fee), and a hut on the beach for Sri Lankan-style Ayurvedic massages with herbal oils. There's free Wi-Fi in the lobby, and no charge for on-site parking.